Having heard a lot about how amazing Michael Coleman was, I finally got around to buying a CD of his (the 2CD anthology) and was blown away by his playing. It has pathos, wit, musicality and incredible technique, one could go on for hours raving about it. However, he always has a natural flow and swing, even when playing at a zillion miles an hour with variations and ornamentation one would not have thought possible. His playing also has character and is immediately recognisable.
He has been a revelation and I think that all the demon speed merchants should be sat down and made to listen to how playing fast doesn't mean losing the music. My advice to any out there who are unfamiliar with his playing, or who are new to the music, is don't wait as long as I did, go out and buy /download any of his stuff you can - you will not regret it!!
Anybody else had any inspirations/revelations recently?
Not that Coleman didn't play fast, but alot of the recordings were speeded up. YOu can tell because the fiddle tuning is often well above concert pitch. If you have the ability to slow the recordings down you will see what I mean.
It also takes some concentration to zone out the piano accompaniment
I've said it before, and I'll say it again - if you are listening to a Coleman recording and all you can do is obsess about the (admittedly awful) piano playing, you are only showing your lack of appreciation for his genius. Kind of like somebody who sees a magnificent piece of architecture and spends the next week moaning about how the bollards on the pavement out front ruined the whole thing.
Hi Nick - I'll definately join the appreciation society. Every time I hear Coleman's playing I'm lifted. Where did you get the 2 CD anthology? It's been unavailable for quite awhile. Was it new? Did it have the booklet with all the biographical notes? Do you want to swap me your copy for my soul?
Also, if you want to hear more, some of the recordings have been remastered again, plus a new track or two (he recorded lots of stuff which has never been remasterd or rereleased). That CD is available from the Coleman Heritage Centre www.colemanirishmusic.com These are noticeably different in sound quality, although whether better or worse is a bit subjective.
Yeah, it was the two cd anthology with thick booklet on his life. I got it off Amazon last week in their 'used' section, although it was brand new. It cost a bit: £26, but, lets face it, it was worth it and is less than the price of two cd's of lesser mortals.
I agree Michael, it should go without saying, but I am sure that there are many out there (like me until the other day) that might like traditional music, but who aren't familiar with his work. All I am saying is beg, borrow, or liberate a copy of his playing and get inspired, cos until you hear it you can't credit just how good he was.
As for the piano, what piano?, I just totally zone it out.
That recording of O'Dowd's is fantastic. The piano is easy to ignore if you don't like it. I do quite like it. It sort of places the recording in time and place. It's a bit crass, and maybe clumsy, but it gives it a lovely pre-guitar 'old fashioned' feel. It's like real music, as though Mr. Coleman turned up at my aunt's house and asked her to vamp on the joanna for him while he did his stuff. It's not 'awful', just basic(!)
I've every recording of Coleman except one 78, there were some acetates of him and Lad O'Bierne (see the doc. From Shore to Shore). Paid $40 for one of the Coral LPs and didn't think twice. An old piper told me that around New York they considered Killoran and Morrison to be rougher, more dance musicians; Coleman had a sweeter tone, put a lot of heart into his playing, and ranked ahead of them for those sorts of reasons.
Yes, Ottery, I like piano backing, too. I do consider it awful on a few of the Coleman tracks 'cause the chords don't follow the modality of the tunes. (Now, I'm talking bollards, oh god!) But I would never let ot distract me from the wonders of Coleman's fiddling.
Kevin, have you really got most of his recordings!?! In that case, will you marry me?
Coleman was a pure bollix. I remember him in famous Ballymote after a fair. He stole my daddy's cue and made a living for himself playing pool, which was very fashionalbe in those times.
He laughed at every wan of my jokes as well.
Michael Coleman appreciation society
Michael Coleman appreciation society
Having heard a lot about how amazing Michael Coleman was, I finally got around to buying a CD of his (the 2CD anthology) and was blown away by his playing. It has pathos, wit, musicality and incredible technique, one could go on for hours raving about it. However, he always has a natural flow and swing, even when playing at a zillion miles an hour with variations and ornamentation one would not have thought possible. His playing also has character and is immediately recognisable.
He has been a revelation and I think that all the demon speed merchants should be sat down and made to listen to how playing fast doesn't mean losing the music. My advice to any out there who are unfamiliar with his playing, or who are new to the music, is don't wait as long as I did, go out and buy /download any of his stuff you can - you will not regret it!!
Anybody else had any inspirations/revelations recently?
Nick
# Posted on August 11th 2005 by nick b
Re: Michael Coleman appreciation society
It should go without saying
# Posted on August 11th 2005 by llig leahcim
Re: Michael Coleman appreciation society
Not that Coleman didn't play fast, but alot of the recordings were speeded up. YOu can tell because the fiddle tuning is often well above concert pitch. If you have the ability to slow the recordings down you will see what I mean.
It also takes some concentration to zone out the piano accompaniment
# Posted on August 11th 2005 by shaw
Re: Michael Coleman appreciation society
I think we should form a Michael Gill Appreciation Society for his wit pathos and incredible cynicism.
:~}
# Posted on August 11th 2005 by Nick Splease
Re: Michael Coleman appreciation society
I find a sound clip of Coleman: http://tedmcgraw.com/recimages/Irish_clips.htm I could play the piano better.
# Posted on August 11th 2005 by slainte
Re: Michael Coleman appreciation society
The Gill Appreciation Society, or GAS;
He's a "geas" man. ;)
# Posted on August 11th 2005 by Conán McDonnell
Re: Michael Coleman appreciation society
I've said it before, and I'll say it again - if you are listening to a Coleman recording and all you can do is obsess about the (admittedly awful) piano playing, you are only showing your lack of appreciation for his genius. Kind of like somebody who sees a magnificent piece of architecture and spends the next week moaning about how the bollards on the pavement out front ruined the whole thing.
Hi Nick - I'll definately join the appreciation society. Every time I hear Coleman's playing I'm lifted. Where did you get the 2 CD anthology? It's been unavailable for quite awhile. Was it new? Did it have the booklet with all the biographical notes? Do you want to swap me your copy for my soul?
Also, if you want to hear more, some of the recordings have been remastered again, plus a new track or two (he recorded lots of stuff which has never been remasterd or rereleased). That CD is available from the Coleman Heritage Centre www.colemanirishmusic.com These are noticeably different in sound quality, although whether better or worse is a bit subjective.
# Posted on August 11th 2005 by kris
Re: Michael Coleman appreciation society
Yeah, it was the two cd anthology with thick booklet on his life. I got it off Amazon last week in their 'used' section, although it was brand new. It cost a bit: £26, but, lets face it, it was worth it and is less than the price of two cd's of lesser mortals.
I agree Michael, it should go without saying, but I am sure that there are many out there (like me until the other day) that might like traditional music, but who aren't familiar with his work. All I am saying is beg, borrow, or liberate a copy of his playing and get inspired, cos until you hear it you can't credit just how good he was.
As for the piano, what piano?, I just totally zone it out.
# Posted on August 11th 2005 by nick b
Re: Michael Coleman appreciation society
That recording of O'Dowd's is fantastic. The piano is easy to ignore if you don't like it. I do quite like it. It sort of places the recording in time and place. It's a bit crass, and maybe clumsy, but it gives it a lovely pre-guitar 'old fashioned' feel. It's like real music, as though Mr. Coleman turned up at my aunt's house and asked her to vamp on the joanna for him while he did his stuff. It's not 'awful', just basic(!)
# Posted on August 12th 2005 by Ottery
Re: Michael Coleman appreciation society
Old-style piano is definitely an acquired taste - but I think I'm hooked. Or at least, it's not nearly as jarring as it once was to my ears.
# Posted on August 12th 2005 by wormdiet
Re: Michael Coleman appreciation society
I've every recording of Coleman except one 78, there were some acetates of him and Lad O'Bierne (see the doc. From Shore to Shore). Paid $40 for one of the Coral LPs and didn't think twice. An old piper told me that around New York they considered Killoran and Morrison to be rougher, more dance musicians; Coleman had a sweeter tone, put a lot of heart into his playing, and ranked ahead of them for those sorts of reasons.
# Posted on August 12th 2005 by Kevin Rietmann
Re: Michael Coleman appreciation society
Yes, Ottery, I like piano backing, too. I do consider it awful on a few of the Coleman tracks 'cause the chords don't follow the modality of the tunes. (Now, I'm talking bollards, oh god!) But I would never let ot distract me from the wonders of Coleman's fiddling.
Kevin, have you really got most of his recordings!?! In that case, will you marry me?
# Posted on August 12th 2005 by kris
Re: Michael Coleman appreciation society
Erm!
"SF seeks scratchy old recordings of Irish music."
# Posted on August 12th 2005 by Kevin Rietmann
Re: Michael Coleman appreciation society
Ha ha!
# Posted on August 12th 2005 by kris
Re: Michael Coleman appreciation society
Coleman was a pure bollix. I remember him in famous Ballymote after a fair. He stole my daddy's cue and made a living for himself playing pool, which was very fashionalbe in those times.
He laughed at every wan of my jokes as well.
# Posted on August 13th 2005 by howsshecutting
Re: Michael Coleman appreciation society
Aren't jokes meant to be laughed at?
Trevor
# Posted on August 13th 2005 by lazyhound
Re: Michael Coleman Recordings
Not when they're playing the piano.
# Posted on August 13th 2005 by BowHand
Re: Michael Coleman appreciation society
HEY!!!
# Posted on August 14th 2005 by Phantom Button
Re: Michael Coleman appreciation society
LOL Jack
# Posted on August 14th 2005 by emily_bmore